San Jose State community rallies behind Jared Leaf

SAN JOSE -- As Jared Leaf continues his recovery in a San Jose hospital, several people in and around the San Jose State football program are keeping the Spartans' junior linebacker in their thoughts.

"He has all my prayers, and everybody's supporting him and is behind him," former SJSU linebacker Keith Smith said. "Hopefully he's going to be OK."

Leaf suffered second-degree burns to his skin after racing through his burning apartment on Wednesday night. Recovery time is unknown, but coach Ron Caragher doesn't expect the injuries to be career-threatening.

A college student was burned during a fire at this apartment building on the 400 block of 8th St. near San Jose State University in San Jose, Calif. on Thursday, April 24, 2014. The fire was believed to have been accidentally started when a match was left on a couch in one of the units. (Gary Reyes/Bay Area News Group)

In talking about Leaf, Caragher spoke of a multitalented individual who excels on and off the field. Leaf sat out of games last year, per NCAA rules, after transferring from Hawaii, and the Alhambra High-Martinez product used some of his free time to play the lead role in an SJSU Theatre Arts production of the play "Tigers Be Still."

Leaf was one of three recipients of the team's Outstanding Scout Team award last year and was expected to play a lead role for the defense in 2014. He earned the starting middle linebacker job coming out of spring practice.

"It's tragic for this to happen to a special young man," Caragher said. "He's so talented in many ways."

Outpouring of support also came in from social media.

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Nevada offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich, who was at Hawaii for one season with Leaf, tweeted: "Send your prayers to my man Jared Leaf, SJSU linebacker. One of the most enjoyable recruiting experiences."

There was also an onslaught of tweets from San Jose State players and other friends and former teammates of Leaf offering their prayers and support. Several get well posters with messages of support were left for Leaf at the athletic department office.

Smith said some of his fraternity brothers are trying to raise funds to provide assistance for Leaf, as well as his three roommates, which includes junior quarterback Joe Gray and senior defensive end Sean Bacon. The entire apartment, along with all of their belongings, was destroyed.

"We're trying to help them out as much as we can, but it's such an unfortunate thing," Smith said.

The destroyed apartment unit was the same one that Smith used to live in, along with fellow former SJSU players Jason Simpson and Chandler Jones.

"We moved out, they moved in," Smith said. "I was getting calls from people in San Jose saying, 'Bro your apartment's on fire.'"

Smith also spoke very highly of Leaf's character.

"He's just a great genuine person, and it's unfortunate he has to go through that," Smith said.

Smith was in town Friday because he was one of 11 players, including Simpson and Jones, who participated in the 49ers local pro day. Bené Benwikere was also there and said he was hoping to visit Leaf before returning to Southern California to resume training. As of now, Leaf can't accept many visitors because of the risk of infection.

"Hopefully before I leave I'll be able to go see him, otherwise I'll just pray for him," Benwikere said. "I know he's a fighter, so he'll be all right."